PARIS (Reuters) - European stock exchange operator Euronext NV (PA:ENX) said on Friday it was on the lookout for "transformational" tie-ups of its own as rivals Deutsche Boerse AG (DE:DB1Gn) and London Stock Exchange Group Plc (L:LSE) negotiate a $30 billion merger (£20.8 billion).
Euronext, which operates exchanges in Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, London and Lisbon, said it would maintain flexibility to spend 150 million euros ($171 million) on acquisitions by 2019 while continuing to pay out half its earnings as dividends.
"In an evolving industry landscape, Euronext will carefully assess any potential opportunity resulting in a transformational transaction that will create value for clients and shareholders," the company said.
With a market value of about 2.6 billion euros, Euronext will be reduced to relative minnow status among European bourses if the LSE-Deutsche Boerse deal goes ahead.
Unveiling a new strategic plan on Friday, Euronext also pledged to grow sales at its core business by 2 percent annually for the next three years.
Clearing operations were excluded from the 2019 targets, Euronext said, as its contracts with LCH.Clearnet SA expire at the end of 2018. The company said it was "exploring all possible avenues" for its clearing operations after that date.
